*Graham Rowntree. ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/EJ Langner
GRAHAM ROWNTREE has left his role as Head Coach of Munster Rugby.
In a statement on Tuesday morning, Munster Rugby and the IRFU confirmed the exit of Rowntree as Head Coach by mutual agreement.
He joined the province in 2019 and spent three years as Forwards Coach before his appointment as Head Coach in advance of the 2022/23 season.
In his first season as Head Coach, Rowntree led Munster to the URC title, the club’s first trophy in 12 years, before overseeing a top of the table finish in last season’s URC campaign.
Rowntree’s exit comes in with immediate effect. Head of Rugby Operations, Ian Costello takes over as interim Head Coach. The recruitment process for a permanent Head Coach will get underway immediately.
A former loosehead prop who was capped 54 times for England, he leaves just six games into the BKT United Rugby Championship season, following a run of three defeats in a row.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here in Munster working with a very talented group of players and coaches. I would like to thank the wider Munster family for all the support they have shown me in my time here but now is the right stage for my family and I to look forward to a new chapter,” Rowntree said.
Munster Rugby CEO, Ian Flanagan, said, “We would like to thank Graham for his passion and dedication to Munster Rugby over the past five years, and I would like to wish him and his family the very best for the future on behalf of Munster Rugby”.
Flanagan continued: “With the All Blacks XV coming to a sold-out Thomond Park this weekend and a number of big games on the horizon in November and December, our focus will be on continuing to support the coaches and the players for the season ahead.”
